SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — Police Lt. Christopher Burbank was sworn in by U.S. Marshal Noel March to become a deputy federal agent Thursday, and will now assist in the investigation of pharmacy robberies and prescription drug abuse.

Burbank was among 17 other law enforcement officers who were sworn at a deputation ceremony in Portland.

According to the U.S. Attorney General's Office this is part of a continuing effort to deal with increased pharmacy crimes and prescription abuse in Maine. The U.S. Attorney's Office reports in 2009 there were eight pharmacy robberies and burglaries in Maine and in 2010 there were 21. This boost in crimes prompted a request for federal authorities to assist.

Burbank, who has been with the South Berwick Police Department since 1992, will be one of the officers assisting in these investigations. He stressed the new responsibility is only an added benefit to the department and will far from limit his duties for South Berwick.

Police Chief Dana Lajoie agreed.

“It's been a long time coming for him,” Lajoie said Wednesday.

In 2011, Burbank graduated from the FBI National Academy — Session 245, an 11-week executive training course that was held in Quantico, Va.

“I've always had an interest in drug investigations, primarily opiates and addictions,” Burbank said Wednesday. “Drug robberies have been prevalent in our state, but luckily the numbers appear to be going down.”

Burbank is a graduate of the 75th Maine Municipal/County Basic Police School and holds a bachelor of science degree in business studies. He serves as the department's civil rights officer, a field training officer, and a certified instructor with the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He is involved with the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run, which benefits the Special Olympics of Maine. Additionally, he has been involved with the Concerns Of Police Survivors Program each year in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week, where he serves as a police counselor for children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.

“This will draw resources of other agencies to assist one another,” Lajoie said. “The philosophy is long overdue and needs to continue to expand.”

Burbank was among officers deputized throughout the state, including from: Kennebec and Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, Augusta, Bath, Biddeford, Houlton, Kennebunk, Rockland, Saco, Sanford, York Police Departments, and the Maine State Police.

“It will provide a way to partner with other agencies and become a collective effort that will go a long way,” Burbank said.

According to U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty, the cooperation from chiefs, sheriffs and supervisors of these 18 officers who have consented to participate in this effort, is appreciated. In a public statement Delahanty noted, “(I) t is important to keep in mind there has been multiple pharmacy robberies or burglaries in almost all of the municipalities and counties from which each of these officers come.”